Malaysia has moved toward to the high technology industry in the Seventh Malaysian Plan (1996-2000). In order to attract higher foreign investment, the industry structures have to be checked and evaluated to strengthen the nation manufacturing sectors. The new planning of the human resources development has been prepared to cater the needs of the manufacturing sectors. This will increase the skills of the industry workers to accommodate along with the needs of the era of high technology industries.

Under the Ministry of Human Resources, the Human Resources Department is always sensitive to the growth of the industries and it has taken a positive strategies and ways by establishing one of the higher technology training centres which is the Japanese-Malaysian Technical Institute. In 1993, the proposal to build the institute has been voiced by the Malaysian Government to the Japanese Government. In 1997, both governments have agreed to have a technical collaboration to establish it.

The Malaysian-Japanese Technical Institute (JMTI) has started its operation in early 1998 at its temporary campus, CIAST Shah Alam. This institution is responsible to handle the training programmes to the Diploma of Technology level. The establishment of this institute was through technical collaboration and cooperation between both governments, Malaysia and Japan at 7 October 1997. Starting in January 2000, JMTI has fully implemented and carried out the training programmes at its permanent campus which has been developed on the 6.5 hectares land at the Bukit Minyak Industrial Park, Seberang Prai Tengah, Penang.

Along with that, JMTI has offered the Diploma in the Engineering Technology Programmes in four main fields of study which are Diploma in Computer Engineering Technology, Diploma in Electronic Engineering Technology, Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering Technology and Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.

The institute’s main objective is to generate quality skilled workers through the skilled training programmes at the higher level as it will cater to the industries needs in Malaysia and prepares the students to adapt and face the challenge of the technology’s rapid growth as well as the future globalisation.